we
gather as people who have been called to see the world from a
different viewpoint.

God
has called us together, God has called us to be part of a community.

God
challenges us to consider questions of priority as we engage with the
world.

In
this time together,

may
God open our hearts, minds and eyes,

allowing
us to see deeper, helping us to live in the world while still
offering a challenge to the ways of the world.

We
pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

PRAYER
FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE

God
of Grace, you call us to be different from the world,

but
the world is seductive, and so we come here to be strengthened.

God
of Vision, you hold before us an alternate way of life,

different
priorities, different loyalties, different values.

But
we know that the world is not only seductive but powerful,

and
so we are drawn in to following its priorities, accepting its values,
showing loyalty to its gods.

God
who blesses the meek, the peacemakers, the merciful,

forgive
us when we lose sight of these qualities, when we misunderstand their
role in the world.

...time
of silent prayer...

Rejoice
and be glad! God is gracious and God offer blessings. God calls us
to life in the world, God offers us the chance to explore how to live
out God's vision. We are called, we are forgiven, we are blessed.

Thanks
be to God. Amen.

COMMISSIONING:

As
people of faith we have gathered for worship.

As
people of faith we now return to the world.

We
are Holy people, set apart from the world.

No.
We are ordinary people, just the same as our neighbours.

We
are both ordinary and holy,

we
live in the midst of the world even as we name that there is a
different Way to live.

As
you go into the world,

may
we share our understandings of how the world could be different.

And
may the God who has set us apart in the midst of the world go with
us.

knowing
that in that story we find clues about life in the here and now.

We
come together to be prepared to be sent out,

to
share the story, to share The Way of life.

Story-telling
God, in this time of prayer and song and listening,

remind
us that we have a story to tell, renew our hearts that we can tell
it.

This
we pray in the name and memory of Jesus,

the
One whose story is written in our hearts,

and
who taught his friends to pray together saying...

PRAYER
FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE

It
is said that evangelism is one beggar telling another where they can
find a meal.

But
God sometimes we are reluctant because
we are unsure the news would be of interest.

It
is said that evangelism is one injured dog leading another to the
vet's door.

But
we are reluctant, not wanting to force our idea of a cure on others.

It
is said that evangelism is cutting holes in the blackout curtain so
the light can shine through.

But
we are reluctant, because people might prefer the darkness.

God,
you have called us to share the story of life and love with the world
in our words and our deeds.

For
the times we have chosen not to share that story, for the times our
words and deed have told an opposite story, forgive us and through
your Grace renew us to meet the challenge.

...time
of silent prayer..

The
story we share is the story of a God who is Gracious, Merciful, and
Loving. Through Grace God forgives us where we miss the mark and
restores us to relationship. We are forgiven, loved, and accepted.

Thanks
be to God! Amen

COMMISSIONING:

As
people of faith we have gathered for worship.

As
people of faith we now return to the world.

Go
out to share the story of faith, the story of life, with the world
around you.

We
share the faith in word and in deed, in speech and in action.

As
you go to giving a living witness, as you go out to testify to God's
love active in the world, go knowing that God goes with you, sharing
the laughter and the hope, the fears and the tears.